Month: February 2011

Cool, DIY-able Lighting

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There are so many lighting options, many of which are expensive.  I decided to make a coffee filter light for our guest bedroom and that got my wheels turning.  Here are a few other affordable, DIY options I threw around.

1.  Spray paint an outdated chandelier.

2.  Using Mod Podge to cover an ugly fixture with book pages, maps or another pretty paper to achieve an Anthropologie-esque feel.

via Centsational Girl

3.  Use string, glue and an inflatable ball to make a Moooi Random Pendant look-alike.

Here’s Jen from Made By Girls version:

via Made By Girl

4.  Using wood veneer strips or iron on tape to create a Sarah Foote style light.

via Sarah Foote

Here’s a great tutorial I think I’m going to try to replace the fan in the boys bedroom.

Of course, there are many other great DIY friendly lighting designs.  What are your favorites?  I’ve seen some cage pendants, but those don’t really fit my style, though I think they are cool.  I’m open to any ideas, so share links, too!

Gimme a Giveaway: YBH Winner

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We had a variety of both domesticated and wild animals you’d like to have for pets.  I would choose a penguin, because I think they’re adorable and funny, and the kids might like it.  Ben would choose a moose because they are large and majestic.

Getting down to business, the winner of one 4 inch by 4 inch custom pet portrait is number 97, Kris, who has orange tabbies, but thinks a Beagle would be fun.

Happy weekend to all!  We’ll see you back here on Monday!

New Art in the House

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And in the Etsy shop!  I’ve been working on a cool, modern, abstract art series.  Our new pieces are one-of-a-kind and hand cut by me. 

You caught a glimpse of the new art in the small basement bedroom.  This is the smaller version:

Small designs measure about 3 inches tall by 2 inches wide on a 5.5 inch by 8 inch piece of cardstock, which fits perfectly in a matted 5 by 7 frame.

Large:

The large design measures approximately 4.5 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide on an 8.5 inch by 11 inch piece of cardstock with a large border for framing. 

Each piece is hand cut, so each design is unique. 

Also, I am now taking three orders for custom pillow covers on a first come, first serve basis.  Please convo me through Etsy to discuss your preferences, options, and for a price quote.

Picture This!

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An observant reader noticed our art gallery wall in our hallway in this Simple Solution post and asked for more info.

We don’t have tons of personal photos throughout our house, but our hall has photos of every immediate family member.

The hall frames were black before I decided to attack them with white spray paint this summer to lighten the group.

Before I saw a tip from Martha Stewart, our wall looked balanced, but cluttered.   I don’t seem to have a picture of the entire layout before I implemented Martha’s tip, but this is how this wall looked for quite a while.

The layout isn’t drastically different, but pay attention to the bottom row of frames.  What was Martha’s tip?  Keep everything above and below a line of painters tape.

The tops of the frames in the bottom row are {roughly} in a line, while to bottoms of the middle row are in a line, too.  To keep the arrangement looking uniform and uncluttered, I spaced the frames as evenly as possible while keeping columns of frames.

To further prevent  an arrangemt from looking messy, keep the frames and mats the same throughout.  We accentuated the center photo by painting the frame a contrasting color.

Obviously, there are endless ways to arrange a gallery wall, but this works for us.  Do you prefer a balanced, symmetrical or completely asymmetrical layout?  What’s your favorite picture hanging trick?  Do you cut paper templates marked with hooks for easy, perfect hanging?  Anyone use velcro or another adhesive?  I’ve been known to keep pesky frames level with sticky tack behind the corners.

Basement Progress: Small Bedroom

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The last you saw of this bedroom, we had installed most of the trim, but nothing else had been done.

After filling and sanding millions of nail holes, caulking miles of seams, 20 gallons of white paint (for the entire basement) and hours of spraying later, we were ready to put real color on the walls.

After painting and installing carpet, we put a king bed on the floor before my family came to visit.

And now, here’s what you see as you enter the bedroom.

The bedding has changed and we’ve added some art recently, but we have tons of decorating to do.

That is the prettiest view, so in the interest of keeping it real, here are some other, not-so-pretty angles.

Here’s our still doorless closet.

I really like the idea of a pink and blue color scheme for this room, but we’ll see.  So, what are your favorite colors to pair with blue?  Any other color schemes you’ve recently fallen in love with?